Jack Anthony goes back in attempt to go forward with AFL comeback plan

Brent Diamond

Former Collingwood and Fremantle forward Jack Anthony says he joined Carlton’s VFL team – the Northern Blues - so that he could be under the nose of Blues coach Mick Malthouse as he attempts to rekindle his AFL career as a defender.

But it was a rusty start for the 26-year-old in his first outing as a defender for the Blues, with Casey’s Tim Smith kicking five goals on him in the opening half of the Scorpions' 16-point victory at Visy Park on Saturday.

Anthony, who has played mainly up forward for the Blues, said he hopes to hone his skills more as a defender in order to prove he has another string to his bow.

“Mick (Malthouse) knows me better than anyone,” Anthony said.

“He’s the one who drafted me as a full-back and he’s seen me throughout my whole career. At stages, I haven’t lived up to expectations and all that sort of stuff and, to be perfectly honest, I only really had the one or two good years as a forward, so I feel like there’s a lot of unfinished business as a backman."

Anthony spent last year playing local footy with Maribyrnong Park under former Pies teammate Brodie Holland, who helped Anthony find the “desire and passion” for footy again.

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“After that, I thought I wouldn’t mind giving it one more crack while I’m still able and still youngish, I suppose. I feel like I have a lot to offer as a backman ... I unfortunately didn’t really get a good opportunity to play that when I was in the AFL so I thought with the Northern Blues, I could get that opportunity,” he said.

“Obviously, with Mick and Butters (Carlton fitness guru David Buttifant), who I have a good friendship and a good relationship with, I’m just trying to stay under their noses.”

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Anthony had a stellar 2009 season with Collingwood, kicking 50 goals to be the Pies' leading goalkicker, but he walked out at the end of the 2010 season because of a lack of opportunities.

Gavin Brown, who was then the Pies' VFL coach, switched Anthony to defence in the second half of the season in 2010. He found some form but failed to win a senior recall as the Pies went on to win the premiership.

“I felt like I was playing some really good football and hitting some form," he said. "It was frustrating that I couldn’t get a game but I understood at the same time; it was a premiership year and the backline was fairly solid and the forwards were obviously playing some good footy as well.

“It was just one of those years in which I was unable to break into the side no matter what I did.”

Anthony crossed to Fremantle in the pre-season draft but played just eight AFL matches in two seasons, spending most of his time at Subiaco in the WAFL. He said that since then he has worked on his defensive game as a forward but desperately wants the opportunity to play as an AFL defender.

“I feel like a natural defender; I can zone well off forwards," he said.

"At one stage, it (playing AFL again) was completely gone and then I sort of had this feeling that there may be some hope there.

“At the end of the year, if it doesn’t work out for me at least I know I’ve given it a crack and didn’t leave any stone unturned.”

The Scorpions had a stellar first half on Saturday - with Sam Blease and Jordie McKenzie each collecting 19 disposals - but the Blues fought their way back from a 26-point deficit at the main break to be within eight points at the last change.

However, Jayden Hunt kicked the sealer at the 28-minute mark of the last quarter and the Scorpions scored their third win of the season, 10.11 (71) to 8.7 (55).

Casey's Melbourne forward Jack Fitzpatrick suffered an ankle injury in the opening half and will have scans to determine the damage.

Carlton’s Matt Watson and Dennis Armfield, who are emergencies for the Blues' clash against St Kilda on Monday, did not play.

Nick Graham (32 disposals) and Jaryd Cachia (31) were the best for the Blues